New year…new job?
I’ve got you covered with some tips on creating a positive workspace! Whether you’re starting a new job or feeling compelled to overhaul your daily perspective when you walk through that office door, I’ve compiled some tips that work for me to put some pep in your professional step this year.
1. Name Recognition
As I step further into my 30’s with a busy personal life on the go, I notice my memory slipping a little each year. Especially names, in particular, are harder to recall after an initial introduction. But let me tell you – name recognition can make the world of a difference in a professional setting. While it’s easy to preach, I realize it’s also not so easy in practice – so here’s a tip – every time you’re introduced to someone new, start by asking that person something about themselves – this serves a dual purpose.
When your new acquaintance proudly tells you their name, first – repeat it back to them, pronunciation is important as you’re communicating that you’re pleased to meet and also looking forward to meeting again in the future. Second, ask your new acquaintance a question about themselves; this could be as simple as “how long have you been with the organization?” or “what’s the best way to connect with you during the day?”. If your memory needs some exercise (much like mine!) you want an identifying question to jog your memory each time you see your new acquaintance. In no time you’ll be looking to each face surrounding you in your next meeting saying to yourself “there’s ‘Charles’ who prefers to communicate by phone, preferably after 9:00a.m.”, “there’s ‘Glenda’ who’s been with the organization 17 years.” I welcome great tips for name recognition in the comments section below as well!
2. Find “Your Person”
Whether you’re working at a small tight-knit firm or a large, bustling organization, finding that “someone” that you connect well with. Having someone you can get to know on a personal and professional level can make a substantial difference in your workday. I’m not talking about finding a person you go to with all of your daily qualms. I’m talking about finding that person who lifts you up and provides guidance and mentorship. A person who you can go to with your career goals and your thoughts on last night’s “Game of Thrones” episode. That “person” may become “persons” but I believe strongly in finding peer(s) in the workforce who can assist in building you up professionally while giving you a break from the daily grind with some witty comments or celebrity gossip here and there.
3. Clearly Communicate Your Needs in the Workplace
Oftentimes, when we have been in the same job for a few years and are looking to evolve. Other times we are starting a new job in a new workplace and we begin to focus too much on how we can meet the organization’s needs while ignoring how the organization can meet our needs. I’ve spent the past 4 years of my career working in education and one of the key concepts I’ve noted is that everyone has a different learning style.
I’m a kinesthetic learner myself. I have a difficult time retaining information and understanding new concepts without hands-on training. I’m a strong believer that “power is in the participation”. I make it a priority to communicate my learning style to my colleagues. I implore you to make your needs known to your organization – this not only helps you to grow as an employee, but it assists your organization in altering their view of the core work and key drivers of organizational success. When organizations are unable to modify their perspectives with regard to how their core work is accomplished, then they’re not truly moving the dial in terms of progress.
4. Establish Uplifting to/from Work Routines
I don’t know too many folks who have a morning commute of ten minutes or less. If you do, congratulations! Because you’ve already started your workday with minimized stress! For most of us, our morning commute can add stress to our day. Throw in external factors such as weather, daycare drop-offs/pick-ups, traffic flow etc. My morning commute consists of bottlenecked traffic and two tired kiddos in the backseat. It can feel like I’ve run a marathon before I even step foot in my office. It was because of this morning stress that I switched up my commute to/from work. So I was able to start/end the day feeling energized and full of positive energy. If you’re like me, and morning/evening yoga just isn’t an option, I highly recommend you familiarize yourself with the world of podcasts.
I was skeptical in the beginning….what will I really gain listening to someone(s) discussing a topic for an hour…it’s going to feel very similar to work…almost…like a meeting? If your thought process sounds similar to this, I recommend just trying a handful of podcasts for one week. Star with to and from work only. Then at the end of the week, assess whether it improved your overall outlook before/after your day or not. Personally, the introduction of podcasts to my day has been a game changer in improving my attitude towards work. I recommend starting with a list of podcasts completely unrelated to your workday; your commute to work is your time and your podcast playlist should be tailored to your interests. To get you started, here is a list of podcasts to help you start 2020 off right!
5. Smile…a lot
This one’s a no-brainer right?…wrong! Smiling, is a universal language; everyone knows what it means, but not everyone makes it a priority in their day. I love a good smile. I love to give them and I love to receive them, I can say with certainty that I’ve never received negative feedback from too many smiles. Whether you woke up on the right side of the bed, or the wrong side, making it a priority to smile at your coworkers can leave a lasting impression and ultimately, help to make your life easier!
Although I’ve listed this one last, it is arguably the most vital to establishing a great reputation in your workplace. If you’ve just begun a new job and you’re struggling to learn your role, your smile can help set the stage and start off on the right foot. While I’m definitely not the ideal professional, my smile always wins me positive feedback on performance reviews and assists me in building my network in the workplace.
While the suggestions listed above are merely a handful of the many tips to help you succeed in your new role (or current one), I want to highlight that your knowledge of the job will grow and evolve over time however your outlook towards your job can begin on day one. If your co-workers know that they can expect a great attitude from you each day, then you’re already ahead. If you are looking for some more tips on how to level up your career check out these Books to Boost Your Performance.
